KARACHI, Feb 4: Huge economic and trade activities were witnessed on the eve of Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) on Saturday as confectioners reported 100 per cent increase in sale of sweets and there was 10 per cent rise in orders placed with caterers for distribution on the occasion.

A number of people celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with zeal and fervour by making arrangements for nazar and nayaz both at their homes and for distribution at various religious gatherings.

Confectioners attracted huge rush on Saturday evening as household buyers were seen purchasing one-to-two kg of different varieties of sweets while for distribution at religiousgatherings people were buying five to six kg on individual basis.

Fazal Ali, a senior staffer at Bhashani Sweets at Burns Road, told Dawn that sale surged almost 100 per cent on the eve of Eid Miladun Nabi, which is observed on 12th Rabiul Awal.

He said he used to make 100 kg of sweets in normal days as compared to around 200 kg on 11th Rabiul Awal. Gulab Jamun, Rasgullah, Cham Cham etc., usually became the most sought after items for this glorious religious event while sale of other items remain normal, he added.

He said most of the people try to purchase sweets a day before for this occasion as most the main roads and streets are usually kept closed on 12th Rabi Awal due to processions and gatherings.

He said he did not know the exact number of sweet makers in the city, which is definitely in thousands, but he claimed that majority of sweet shops did roaring business on this occasion.

Abdul Rasheed, owner of A. Rasheed Pakwan at Tariq Road, said that orders mostly for chicken biryani increased by five to 10 per cent on Saturday as compared to normal days.

People were giving orders for preparing 5 to 10 kg of biryani daigs mainly while some prefer Quorma also. He said that the 10-kg chicken biryani daig cost Rs500-1,000 more due to increase in chicken, ghee and cooking oil and rice rates.—ASK